Choosing the Right Festool Pad: Hard vs. Soft, Holes & Hook-and-Loop
Right pad = flatter panels, faster cut, better dust capture, and fewer swirls. This guide covers pad hardness, hole patterns, foam thickness, and H&L care for RO/ETS/ETS EC/DTS/RTS sanders.
🔧 Book Diagnostics — $79.99 (credited if repair approved)📞 Call 214-994-8121
TL;DR: Use hard pads for flat panels, aggressive stock removal, and crisp edges; soft pads for curves, blending, and final grits. Match the hole pattern to your paper to keep dust extraction and finish quality. If your pad won’t hold paper or leaves halos, it’s time to replace the pad (and sometimes the brake ring).
Hard vs. Soft (What to Use When)
- 🧱 Hard pad — flat doors/tables, leveling filler, blocking edges, 60–120 grit. Minimizes rounding.
- 🧽 Soft pad — profiles/curves, transition blending, 150–320+ grit. Conforms to shape, reduces cut lines.
- 🧊 Intermediate/Plus foam — mid-ground for 80–180 grit on mixed surfaces.
Foam Thickness & Feel
- 📐 Thicker foam = more forgiveness, less chatter on curves.
- ⚖️ Thinner foam = more control and flatter results on panels.
- 🏁 For finish coats: soft or intermediate foam + finer grits.
Hole Patterns & Dust Extraction
| Pad/Paper Pattern | Typical Models | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Multi-Jetstream / Jetstream 2 (center + perimeter) | RO 150, ETS EC 150/3-5, ETS 150 | Fast extraction, cooler pad, less loading |
| 🟡 8-hole / standard patterns | ETS 125 REQ, some legacy 125 mm pads | General sanding, good dust capture with matched paper |
| 🔺 Delta / Rectangular ports | DTS 400 / DTSC 400, RTS / RTSC 400 | Corners, rails, detail work |
Match pad ↔ paper. Mismatched holes = poor suction, more clogging, more swirls.
Hook-and-Loop: Make It Last
- 🔁 Peel paper flat and slow—don’t yank by the edge.
- 🌡️ Avoid heat buildup: change clogged discs sooner.
- 🧼 Keep dust out of the hooks; blast with clean air occasionally.
- 🧲 If paper won’t stay on, hooks are glazed or crushed—replace pad.
Brake Rings & Swirl Marks
- 🛞 A worn brake can cause over-spin and swirl/halos, especially at startup.
- 🧩 Replace pad and brake together if finish issues persist after paper changes.
Model-Specific Tips
- 🟢 RO 150 / RO 125 (ROTEX): In ROTEX mode, use hard pads for aggressive material removal; switch to soft for final finishing in random-orbit.
- 🟣 ETS EC 150 (3/5): 3 mm = finer finish, 5 mm = faster cut. Many pros keep both pad hardnesses and swap per surface.
- 🟠 ETS 125 REQ: Light, precise finisher—soft pad helps on contoured trim; hard pad for flat face frames.
- 🔺 DTS/RTS 400: Pad edges wear first; rotate paper more often and keep extraction strong to reduce corner burnish.
When to Service Instead of Swapping Pads: Paper flies off or won’t stick even with a new pad; excessive vibration or brake screech; speed surging. That points to pad hub/bearings/electronics. Our diagnostic is $79.99 (labor only) and is credited toward your repair if approved. Parts are quoted after testing.
Related Sander Repair Services
FAQs
Which pad gives the best finish?
On flat panels, a hard pad + finer grits reduces rounding and swirl. On curves, a soft pad conforms and avoids facets. Can hole mismatch really hurt the finish?
Yes. Mismatched holes reduce extraction, heat the disc, and load grit—leading to swirls and pigtails. My paper won’t stick—do I need a new sander?
Usually not. Replace the pad first. If issues persist (or vibration is high), diagnostics can check pad hub, bearings, and speed control. How much is diagnostics?
$79.99 (labor only). If you approve the repair, we apply that fee to the repair. Parts are quoted after testing.